New York (Web Desk): A new technology company in the United States has claimed to have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered micro drone capable of identifying, tracking, and targeting flying insects, particularly mosquitoes.
According to the company, if this technology proves successful in practical applications, the cost of controlling mosquitoes could be reduced by up to 100 times compared with current methods. It could also reduce the need for environmentally harmful approaches such as chemical spraying.
Engineers at the US-based company Tornyol, which was established with financial support from Y Combinator, have been working on the project for several months. The company aims to develop autonomous micro drones that can directly locate and eliminate mosquitoes in urban areas.
Company co-founder Alex Toussaint released a video showing a micro drone tracking and targeting a flying insect for the first time. In the video, the drone targets a moth, but the company says the experiment represents an important step toward developing technology that could eventually be used against mosquitoes.
According to engineers, the drone will emit ultrasonic waves and analyze the returning echoes through multiple microphones. By detecting the specific Doppler sound produced by the movement of mosquito wings, the system could theoretically distinguish mosquitoes from other insects.
Company founders Alex Toussaint and Clovis Pedalo said their ultimate goal is to develop swarms of micro drones that can help keep large urban areas free from mosquitoes.
Experts say that if this technology proves successful in practical trials, it could become a significant advancement in preventing dengue, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases. However, further research and field testing will be required before it can be used safely, effectively, and on a large scale.